we can raise tax revenue by simplifying the tax code, not increasing tax rates. we can address wasteful government spending without jeopardizing our core commitments in national defense and protecting our most vulnerable. and we can jump-start our economy by assuring americans that congress and the president can work together to get the job done and deal courageously with the pressing problems of today. when it comes to the fiscal cliff, the president and congress will either fail together orwell succeed together. there's -- or we'll succeed together. i'm confident we can pass the test and do what's good and right for the american people. >> the president's been talking a lot about taxes lately, and as a c.p.a. who practiced tax for years and a member of the ways and means committee, there's no one who likes to talk about tax more than i do. but let's be honest. talking about taxes is not going to solve the problem that america faces. we have to turn to the spending side of the ledger. and furthermore, his tax proposal will kill about 700,000 jobs and do harm to